RETRO REBOOT

Forget the new Gold Wing, this is the six-cylinder motor we want to see!

An endurance racer CBX1000!

Updated for 2018, the latest Gold Wing finally gets a refresh that’s been years overdue, however there’s one six-pot motor we’d love to see make a comeback. We know it’ll never happen which is why we’ve made our own digital version of the infamous CBX1000 – with a classic Honda endurance twist.

A modernised version of the 1979, 1047cc, 24-valve, inline six could easily increase power from its humble 105bhp to a reliable 140bhp. Chuck out the six Keihin carbs for fuel injection and we can expect an increase in tank range too for those longer distance journeys to (and racing around) the Bol d’or. Air-cooling remains, which means the power may be more modest in comparison to the latest litre sportsbikes but we get to keep the fins on the engine and an unobstructed view of that glorious bank of downpipes that lead to the half a dozen barking silencers. It will provide one of the best head-on views in motorcycling.

A half-fairing holds the single main headlight but twin LEDS nicked from the RCE electric bike concept are directly underneath to illuminate the way. It’s a racer, so we won’t be doing the pillion thing. With most of the dummy tank taken up by a bigger capacity airbox the real tank sits underneath the seat, keeping the weight lower and nearer the centre of the bike to improve handling. It also means we get to use a side filler cap for extra cool. Other RCE influence can also be seen in the waspish tail unit.

While our bike wears modern 43mm upside-down forks and the usual Brembo monoblocs mated to big 320mm discs, the rear suspension sticks with twin shocks, though this time they’re Showa items to replace the original FVQ (Fade Very Quickly) units: a world away from the road-going originals, and more in keeping with a track machine. Everything hangs off a muted black steel cradle.